freedom

Thy pure image do we venerate, O good One, asking forgiveness of our sins, O Christ our God; for by Thine own will Thou didst ascend the Cross in Thy body, to save Thy creatures from the bondage of the enemy. Thou hast verily filled all with joy, since Thou didst come, O our Savior, to save the world.

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Source: http://www.antiochianladiocese.org/ (Apolytikion in Tone 2) from a service of The Holy Orthodox Christian Church

The greatest freedom is to be obedient and faithful to God. As we yield ourselves to God's love and mercy, we are liberated from the suffering of sins. No longer are we dominated by unreasonable fears, compulsions and addictions. We live in peace and unity with all people. Despair and rage pass away. Yet, these things only come when we bear the responsibilities for our own behavior, admitting our faults and receiving God's forgiveness.

You have every opportunity, both eternal and external, for repentence and salvation, which is so rare in this day and age. If you do not take advantage of this now, but keep putting off the work of salvation, you may easily fool yourself. We cannot be certain that tomorrow belongs to us. The Lord warns us all: be ready each minute, for you know not what day or what hour they will come for you.

Abbot Nikon

Source: Daily Lives, Miracles, and Wisdom of the Saints and Fasting Calendar

"Peace in our souls is impossible unless we beg the Lord with all our hearts to give us love for all men. The Lord knew if we did not love our enemies, we should have no peace of soul, and so He gave us the Commandment, 'Love your enemies.' Unless we love our enemies, we shall only now and then be easy, as it were, in our souls; but if we love our enemies, peace will dwell in us day and night."

Saint Silouan the Anthonite

Saint Silouan

Source: Daily Lives, Miracles, and Wisdom of the Saints and Fasting Calendar

A person who suffers bitterly when slighted or insulted should recognize from this that he still harbors the ancient serpent in his breast. If he quietly endures the insult or responds with great humility, he weakens the serpent and lessens its hold. But if he replies acrimoniously or brazenly, he gives it strength to pour its venom into his heart and to feed mercilessly on his inward parts. In this way the serpant becomes increasingly powerful; it destroys his souls strength and his attempts to set himself right, compelling him to live for sin and to be completely dead to rightousness.

Saint Symeon the New Theologian

Source: Daily Lives, Miracles, and Wisdom of the Saints and Fasting Calendar

Do not rail against anyone, but rather say, "God knows each one." Do not agree with him who slanders, do not rejoice at his slander and do not hate him who slanders his nieghbor. This is what it means not to judge.

Saint Moses the Ethiopian

Source: Daily Lives, Miracles, and Wisdom of the Saints and Fasting Calendar